Anthony of Padua, St

St. Anthony of Padua was a Franciscan monk and a popular preacher in Italy
in the 1200s. Born in Portugal, Anthony left his homeland after deciding
to become a missionary. He spent a brief time in Morocco, but illness
forced him to return to Europe. Settling in Italy, he became a follower of
St. Francis of Assisi.

Anthony was noted for his skill as a preacher, for his profound knowledge
of the Bible, and for the many stories of miracles that grew up around
him. In one such legend, a group of
heretics
refused to pay attention to him when he was preaching, so he went to the
water and spoke to the fishes. The fishes held their heads out of the
water and listened closely, which turned the heretics into believers.

heretic
person whose beliefs are con trary to church doctrine

Anthony is the patron saint of Portugal as well as of the Italian city of
Padua, where he is buried. He is traditionally called on for help in
locating lost property.

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